Female Grand Champion in the 2007 IWKA World Championship         

For the last 10 years she has been in Who's Who in American Teachers each year.
Who's Who in American Women Silver addition 2006-2007
July 2005 competed on the USA Team in the CA - AM Games
Hosted the 2005 IWKA World Championships
Renshi Go Heidi Gauntner, Roku-Dan March 2005.
San-Dan in Ryukyunote Kobujutsu Hozon Budo Kyokai on April 18th 2004.
Induction into the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame July17th 2004. 
2004 Competitor in the Isshinryu Hall of Fame’s Female Kumite Grand Champion
Induction into the Ohio Black Belt Hall Of Fame April 17,2003
2003 Female Sensei of the Year for the O.I.K.K.A. Hall of Fame
2003 Competitor in the IWKA World Female Kumite Grand Champion
2003 Female Grand Champion in Weapons and Kata (Isshinryu Hall Of Fame)
2002 & 2003 Semi-finalist for the Isshinryu Hall of Fame’s Dojo of the Year
2001 Semi-finalist for the Isshinryu Hall of Fame’s Spirit of the Year award

Heidi is a High School science teacher at Hudson High School, graduating from Kent State University with a B.S. in Geology and a B.S. in Education.  In 2001 she earned a Masters Degree in Secondary Education.  She is married to Alan Gauntner and has a son Ethan

In September of 1982 she began training in Isshinryu Karate at Kent State University under Senseis Ron Shaw, Buddy Stone, Mike Stone, Anthony DuFloyd, and Charles Haynes. Although not a natural, she did succeed in the martial arts and beginning in 1986 took on significant leadership rolls within the Isshinryu Karate Club, receiving an award in May 1991 for outstanding service and leadership in student activity from the Student Senate.

Her promotions through the ranks were slow but she did advance, rising to the rank of Black Belt. In September of 1990 she received her Sho Dan, being tested by Anthony Floyd, Frank App, Mary Bruce, and Craig Marlow. After meeting Heidi in July of 1992, Sensei John Lennox informed Isshinryu Master Kichiro Shimabuku of Heidi and the Isshinryu Karate Club. She was recognized by Master Shimabuku and became an Isshinryu World Karate Association member, received her Sho Dan Certificate, and began to promote the IWKA to her students. Heidi continued to advance not only her own ability but that of her students and on November 11, 1992 Senseis John Lennox, Anthony DuFloyd, and Frank App approved her for the rank of Ni Dan. Shortly thereafter she received her Instructors Certificate from Master Kichiro Shimabuku. On December 7^th, 1994 Master Shimabuku promoted Heidi to San Dan after seeing her and her students at the IWKA World Tournament.

As she continued to train she developed many fine students making her a well-known instructor locally. Her reputation both within the university and in the community presented many opportunities and students. In the summer of 1995 she was asked to introduce a Saturday karate class for children at Kent State University.

In 1995 Heidi met Shihan William Duessel and began attending seminars and opened dialog between their schools as well as others.

By 1997 Heidi had been training with Sensei John Lennox for five years and Sensei Duessel for two years while continuing to promote Isshinryu Karate through tournaments and seminars. She continued to learn and develop as a martial artist and on March 8^th, 1997 Master Shimabuku awarded her the rank of Yon Dan for her ability in Isshinryu Karate as well as for promoting the style and encouraging others.

In June of 1999 Heidi, with two of her black belts, went to visit Okinawa and trained intensively with Master Shimabuku, finally able to accept an invitation first offered in 1996.

Heidi was promoted to Roku-Dan (6^th Degree Black Belt) and made the Ohio (USA) Representative to the Isshinryu World Karate Association (IWKA) for Master Kichiro Shimabuku.  Among her many accomplishments was her nomination for the Isshinryu Hall-of-Fame Spirit of Isshinryu Award in 2001 marking her enthusiasm and efforts in the Isshinryu community. She was awarded the Female sensei of the year in 2003. As well as given the honor of hosting the 2005 IWKA World Tournament. The Dojo has been recognized as dojo of the year finalists in 2002 and 2003 at the Isshinryu Hall Of Fame.
Heidi has worked hard to elevate the level of integrity and values of discipline, respect and honor that the Martial Arts teaches. Therefore Heidi has been inducted into The Ohio Black Belt Hall of Fame on April 17th 2004. 

Heidi is training traditional Okinawa weapons with Shihan Petter Carbone. She a part of the Weapons Connection Society teaching staff.  She holds weapons classes at her Dojo, as well as traveling to other martial arts schools teaching traditional Okinawan weaponry.  In September 2007, Hanshi Petter Carbone Tested Heidi for her 4th degree Black Belt in Weaponry. She has Been given the authority to teach some of the weapon katas taught to her by Hanshi Petter Carbone.

Heidi is training Isshinryu Karate from Hanshi William H. Duessel. She is not able to workout with him as much as she would like. However, when they are together she is realigned in the true Isshinryu Art. Heidi does train with other masters when the opportunity presents itself, all thou she does not clam them as her instructors. Some such Masters are  Harold Mitchum, John Kerker, and Kickiro Shimabuku are sources of her desire to keep Isshinryu Pure.

Heidi has competed in many tournaments throughout her training, winning several awards and gaining recognition. Among the most note-worthy are the following: 1992 3^rd in Kumite at the IWKA World Tournament; February 1993 Heidi received an award for being 2^nd in the state of Ohio in Kata and Kumite after completing a circuit of tournaments; 1997 2^nd in Kumite at the IWKA World tournament; 1999 2^nd place Kata, 2^nd place Weapons, and 3^rd place Kumite in the IWKA World Tournament; 2003 1^st Place Kumite,3^rd place Kata, 3^rd place Weapons in the IWKA World Tournament; 2003 Isshinryu Hall Of Fame in Tenn. 1^st Place Kata,1^st Place Weapons, Female Grand Champion in Forms. Female Grand Champion in the 2007 IWKA World Championship. As well as countless others.

Heidi is featured on the Bohan website as a Women of the martial arts. The following Biographical information can be found on this site Bohan.

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